The Singles Playbook: 7 Proven Strategies & Drills to Crush Your 4.0+ Tennis Matches

You know the drill. You're playing someone whose backhand is good enough but still weaker than their forehand. Yet, somehow, you keep losing points because they run around it and crush forehands like it’s target practice.

We’ve all been there—"Why am I getting destroyed when I’m clearly playing to their weakness?!"

If you’re a 4.0+ player looking to dominate singles with smarter strategies, sharper footwork, and targeted drills, this blog is your new cheat sheet. Grant Findlay-Shirras and Val Eren break down simple yet powerful singles tactics that will make you a smarter, more confident player on the court.

Let’s get you winning more rallies, owning your backhand, and volleying like a pro.

---

Strategy 1: Backhand-Bait, Attack the Forehand, Backhand-Bait Again

What’s the move?

• Hit a couple of deep balls to your opponent's backhand.
• If their backhand is solid but not stellar, they’ll start protecting it by running around and hitting forehands.
• Now the fun begins. Attack their open forehand.
• By making them run to hit a forehand, you stretch them out of position and set up an easier backhand to finish the point.

Why it works:

• Running forehands are much harder to hit accurately, even for forehand lovers.
• Once you drag them wide to their forehand, their next backhand is likely weaker, setting you up to close the point at the net.

Drill to Master It: The Butterfly Variation

1. Partner A hits cross-court backhands.
2. Partner B alternates: 
   • Hit 2 cross-court backhands
   • Then attack the forehand with an inside-out shot,
   • Finish by going back to the backhand.
3. Switch roles every 5-10 points.

 

Pro Tip: Keep rallies cooperative at first. Your goal is to master the pattern, not hit winners.

---

Strategy 2: Run Around Your Backhand (Instant Upgrade Hack)

What’s the move? Your backhand is fine, maybe even solid… but is it a weapon? Probably not.

The secret? Run around it and hit a forehand instead.

Why it works:

• Your forehand likely has more power, spin, and control.
• Pros do it all the time. If it works for Rafa, it can work for you.
• Running around your backhand allows you to dictate play and stay aggressive.

Drill to Master It: The “C-Dance”

1. Imagine holding a tennis ball in your left hand (for righties).
2. Shuffle your feet around your extended arm in a “C” shape to simulate running around the ball.
3. Repeat this movement on-court while practicing forehand cross-court or inside-out shots.

Pro Tip: Use shadow swings at home or in the gym. Do 20-second bursts, rest for 10 seconds, repeat 10x. It’s cardio and footwork training—tennis multitasking at its finest.

---

Strategy 3: Serve and Volley for the Win

Serve and volley feels like a lost art in singles, but at 4.0+, this weapon can win you free points.

What’s the move?

• Slow down your first serve. Yup, you heard that right.
• Hit a slice or kick serve to buy yourself time to approach the net.
• Aim for your opponent’s weaker wing or jam them with a body serve.

Why it works:

• A slower serve often forces a weaker return, making your first volley a lot easier.
• Most 4.0+ players aren’t ready to handle aggressive net approaches.

Drill to Master It: Serve + Target Practice

1. Serve 10 balls to the same spot (e.g., body, wide slice, or T).
2. After every serve, sprint to the service line and practice a first volley.
3. Focus on hitting your volley deep to make the next shot easier to finish.

Pro Tip: Split step! Just before your opponent makes contact with the return, split step to prepare for the volley.

---

Strategy 4: Master the Deep Rally Game

If you’re unsure what to do mid-rally, stick to this golden rule: Hit deep balls.

Why it works:

• Deep shots push your opponent behind the baseline, making it harder for them to attack.
• It reduces angles they can hit, keeping you safer from big shots.
• Deep balls often force short returns you can pounce on.

Drill to Master It: The Deep Ball Challenge

1. Place a line or cones 3-5 feet behind the baseline.
2. Rally with a partner and count every shot that lands past the cones.
3. Goal: Hit 10-15 deep balls in a row without missing.

Pro Tip: Focus on hitting heavy topspin to keep your deep shots consistent and reliable.

---

Strategy 5: Approach Shots Done Right

We’ve all blown easy approach shots. Why? Because we get too excited and think, "This is my moment!"”

Here’s the real approach shot mindset:

• Keep it simple. Your job is to set up an easy volley, not hit a winner.
• Aim for their backhand or hit low slices to jam them.

Drill to Master It: Approach + Volley Combos

1. Partner feeds short balls to your forehand or backhand.
2. Alternate approach shots
   • Forehand: drive down the line or slice cross-court
   • Backhand: Slice low and cross-court
3. Follow the shot to the net and practice putting away the volley.

Pro Tip: If the ball is above the net, flatten it out or angle it cross-court. If it’s below the net, slice it to keep it low.

---

Strategy 6: Return Hard Serves Like Djokovic (Or Close Enough)

Facing someone with a bazooka for a serve? Here’s your survival guide:

• Stand further back to give yourself more time.
• Focus on a short backswing and punch the ball back deep.
• Aim for the middle of the court to neutralize their serve.

Drill to Master It: Partner Serve Returns

1. Have a partner hit first serves while you focus only on returning deep.
2. Place a large target in the middle of the baseline as your aim.
3. Keep your returns simple: short swing, soft hands, and follow-through.

Pro Tip: Big servers hate when you get their serve back. Make them hit a shaky plus one shot.

---

Strategy 7: Default to the Golden Rally Strategy

When in doubt mid-rally, follow this timeless pattern:

1. Hit the ball deep.
2. Wait for a short ball.
3. Approach the net and finish the point.

This works because deep balls neutralize your opponent’s offense. The short ball is your green light to attack.

Drill to Master It: Rally + Approach Simulation

1. Rally cross-court with a partner.
2. Whoever hits a short ball must approach and play out the point.

Pro Tip: Train your approach shot and volley together. They’re a combo meal.

---

Final Thoughts: Play Smart, Win Easy

Tennis isn’t about cranking every ball like you’re Sabalenka. It’s about being smart, consistent, and knowing when to attack.

Here’s the recap:

1. Backhand-Bait, Attack Forehand
2. Run Around Your Backhand
3. Serve & Volley Like a Legend
4. Master the Deep Rally Game
5. Approach Shots Done Right
6. Neutralize Hard Serves
7. Default to the Golden Rally Strategy

Add these strategies and drills to your training sessions. Practice cooperatively, keep it fun, and remember—sometimes hitting a simple deep ball wins the match.

Now, go out there and make your next opponent wonder if they’ve accidentally signed up to play a pro!

 

 

Val & Grant